Russian coach’s bluster was pure entertainment
Cherchesov commanded attention during surprise Cup run, Kurtis Larson writes.
There was something alluring about Stanislav Cherchesov at this World Cup.
Russia’s no-nonsense bench boss fostered an us-againstthem mentality his players relished.
Whether he was chaffing reporters post-game or comparing his players to Soviet-era military conscripts, Cherchesov was must-see TV during Russia’s run to the quarter-finals.
Following a shootout loss to Croatia in Sochi over the weekend, the 54-year-old former Soviet netminder refused to say he was satisfied with Russia’s performance at this tournament.
His players felt like Soviet troops, Cherchesov said, adding they’d been “demobilized a little bit early,” but wanted to stay in this competition longer.
“It would have been better if we could have stayed until the 15th of July,” he said, somewhat awkwardly, with an eye toward the World Cup final at Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow.
Russia’s eccentric coach might have been the only person on the planet who believed in Russia’s ability to make a run at this tournament.
Upon being reminded his side exceeded low expectations, Cherchesov said most teams entered this World Cup with a feeling of impending doom.
“You might be surprised, but I try to get as much information as I can,” Cherchesov said. “There was not a single national team that had the complete trust of its country.”
As he did throughout this competition, Cherchesov then asked the same reporter to tell him where he’s from.
“Italy,” the correspondent said. “You are absolutely right not to trust your team,” Cherchesov said with a grin that somewhat derided the questioner. “We trusted ourselves. To beg someone to trust in you, we didn’t want to do that. We said we can only prove our worth by working hard. I believe people didn’t just start trusting us, but they are in love with us. They know what the Russian national team is worth.”
Exiting a World Cup evokes one of two feelings for the 31 teams that ultimately leave empty-handed: pain or pain with a concurrent feeling of pride and accomplishment.
Most said the hosts wouldn’t survive a straightforward World Cup group containing Uruguay, Egypt and Saudi Arabia, especially after witnessing Russia’s performance two years ago at the Euros.
A defeat of Spain was unthinkable before Russia was, perhaps, inches away from a place in the semifinals at the expense of Croatia when goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev nearly denied Luka Modric’s penalty.
“From the first second I put together this team, I knew where it was headed,” Cherchesov said. “We have succeeded, but I believe it’s time to make a step forward.”
Russia’s World Cup performances could spur European clubs to lure some of Cherchesov’s players away from the Russian Premier League, where all but two members of this country’s national team roster play.
Midfielder Aleksandr Golovin, 22, is reportedly being courted by big clubs in England after showcasing his engine, ball control and ingenuity on a Russian team that otherwise lacked creativity.
Old-school target man Artem Dzyuba turned heads due to his six-foot-five frame, fearlessness, relentlessness in front of goal and willingness to grind down opposing centre-backs.
Playmaker Denis Cheryshev became a known commodity after scoring four times at this tournament.
“Let us not forecast too far ahead,” said Cherchesov, who at one point described himself as the conductor of an orchestra. “There are changes going on in the team. I wouldn’t dare forecast.”
Russia’s hardened coach presented himself throughout this tournament as old school and someone to be feared. There were times when he seemed like more of a hype man than anything else as he stood along the touchline, raised his hands to the crowd and asked them to get loud.
He’s been this country’s great orator for more than a month, outstripping President Vladimir Putin as the man who commanded attention.
Putin called Russia’s head coach twice over the weekend — once before the match abasing Croatia and once before Cherchesov’s final post-loss news conference.
You might be surprised, but I try to get as much information as I can. There was not a single national team that had the complete trust of its country.
“‘We are disappointed,’ I told (Putin). But he said we should have our eyes open and make the next steps,” Cherchesov said.
It sounds like the most interesting and intimidating coach in Europe will be back for more.
“Let us not be happy with what we’ve achieved,” he added. “Let’s achieve something else.”
Local fans had started taping Cherchesov moustaches under their noses. It won’t be long before he has his own matryoshka doll.
“It’s better to leave when you feel pride,” Cherchesov said. “But we don’t have a chance to win this Cup. We are sad.”
He offered a few more words before slamming his hands on the press conference table and exiting stage right to a smattering of applause.